SIUE - News - TheOArchive - 110502

November 5, 2002

Dance In Concert To Feature Faculty, Guest Artist Works

As a young child in Marion, Illinois, J. Calvin Jarrell says he recalls sitting under a ping-pong table at a Presbyterian Church youth camp, watching while his father taught square dancing lessons.

His family's love for the dance probably contributed to Jarrell's choice of a career in dance education. He is now director of dance at SIUE.

However, the square dancing memory, along with the recollection that his mother loved the writings of Willa Cather, also has served to inspire Jarrell to choreograph a 27-minute dance epic for Dance In Concert.

The event -set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 14-16, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17-is the university's annual dance concert in which dance faculty demonstrate choreography skills and students get to dance in a professional atmosphere..

American Harvest, Jarrell's piece, includes 22 dancers in pioneer costumes, using creative movement to tell the story. "My mother grew up in Red Cloud, Neb., also hometown to Willa Cather from the age of nine," Jarrell said. "O Pioneers is one of the first books I ever read because my mother loved it so much.

"Although it's inspired by Cather's writings, it's not about any one book of hers," Jarrell explained. "It's a story about pioneers arriving on untilled, fertile land and building a community in the mid-to-late 19th century. It will take the audience on a journey toward a new beginning."

Jarrell said the piece contains several dance styles, from 19th century contra dancing and square dancing to contemporary creative movement styles. "It will weave a symmetry of dance styles."

In addition to two other faculty-choreographed pieces-one by Associate Professor Kerry Shaul and another by new dance instructor Carol Huncik-four guest artists will choreograph pieces, including "The Unveiling" by Nancy Allison. Jarrell said her appearance is funded through an SIUE Excellence in Undergraduate Education grant.

Summer Beasley, a former Mid-America Dance Co. member, and Heather Reynolds, a graduate of the SIUE dance program, also are choreographing pieces for the concert. Reynolds also teaches children's dance classes for the university's Saturday morning program.

Allison, a choreographer and dancer in New York, also is a member of the dance education faculty at New York University. She said her piece is a trio for women that has won several awards. The New York Times called it "a quirky and haunting" piece. "It's minimalist with 'very little motifs' that keep evolving," Allison said. "The audience will see the themes in variation.

"On the one level it's about the evolving themes, but there's also an emotional content to the work." Allison pointed out that the work was inspired by the Native American proverb: "Joy shared is doubled; sorrow shared is halved," but she also hastened to add that it's not a Native American piece.

"It's about the differences between being locked into oneself and the opening up to sharing with others."

Ethanol Research Only A Part Of Rod Bothast's Work

As one of the newest members of the SIUE Biological Sciences faculty, Rod Bothast may have spent more time in a cornfield than most of his colleagues.

But he's put that time to good use, spending the past three decades as a scientist researching corn and its co-products to find myriad ways to improve the quality of life.

Whether it's research he's done with corn in manufacturing better foodstuffs, antibiotics, alternative fuels, or solving mold problems for the U.S. Food for Peace Program, Bothast's work has led him to become an internationally recognized authority on industrial microbiology and biochemical engineering.

He recently spoke with other SIUE biology faculty and students to introduce the work he's done at the USDA Laboratory in Peoria since 1971. He explained the many uses of corn, but emphasized that ethanol, derived from corn, is at the center of his research now as director of SIUE's National Corn-to-Ethanol Pilot Research Plan under construction in University Park.

The plant, expected to be completed by spring, is being built with $14 million in federal funds and $6 million from the state of Illinois. Research at the plant is aimed at finding ways to significantly reduce the cost of producing ethanol, a renewable transportation fuel made from corn.

"Corn is used to make many products, from high fructose corn syrup, found in most soft drinks and other foods, to bio-degradable plastics," Bothast explained. "Ethanol also is an important product of corn and has been used as a fuel additive for several years.

"However, we're working toward ethanol becoming used even more as an alternative to fossil fuels, but that will take more time and research." Bothast said the trick is to come up with ways to produce ethanol efficiently and add value to corn's co-products. "Since 1980, fuel ethanol production has been increasing annually and has reached two billion gallons this year in the United States. We need to go to five billion gallons a year in 10 years if we are to meet the renewable fuel goals of this country."

Even though some detractors say corn uses too many resources to produce, Bothast defends the research because today corn is grown so efficiently and abundantly in the U.S. "Researchers are working to come up with better technologies to break down corn and its by-products to make the process economically sound," Bothast said.

Amidst the laundry list of products to be made from corn are: sweeteners, lactic acid, which is in high demand for bio-degradable plastics, Bothast said, and acetic acid (vinegar), used as a component in de-icer on roadways. "There are so many uses for corn that it's a natural for consumers' needs," Bothast said. "The more we can find out about corn and its uses, the more it makes sense."

Work continues in Cougar Village to equip each building with a new fire and smoke alert system. As of today, all but four buildings on the 500 side were yet to be certified, while nine of the 400 side buildings have been certified.

Housing Director Michael Schultz said the remaining buildings in Cougar Village were expected to be finished and certified no later than Nov. 13.

As an added safety measure, new arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) are being installed in electrical circuit breaker boards of all buildings. In addition, wiring in all buildings on the 400 side is being tested in a collaborative effort between University Housing and Facilities Management electricians.

The AFCIs, newly added to the 2002 national electrical code (NEC) for bedrooms and only lately available on the market, are designed to shut down a circuit if the system senses an electrical arc forming between wires. Schultz said the installations are not required because major renovations are not taking place this year. However, he said the university decided to install the devices as an added safety measure.

Under the old smoke detector system, each apartment has a smoke detector in each bedroom and in the dining area that alerts the individual living unit and SIUE Police. Under the new fire and smoke detector system, which will exceed code, heat sensors will be located in the attic, the hallways of each building, and alarm horns will be located throughout the building. The system is designed to alert all occupants of a building and SIUE Police no matter what apartment generates the initial alarm.

As of today, fire investigators had not determined a cause for the Oct. 12 fire at 428 Cougar Village that displaced 30 students. The students were relocated to other apartments in the student residence complex by University Housing.

Annual ESL Training Day Features Ch. 5 Reporter As Keynote Speaker

Cordell Whitlock, reporter for KSDK-TV (Ch. 5) in St. Louis, was the featured speaker recently at the East St. Louis Center's Annual Training Day, a day of development for the center's staff.

Whitlock encouraged the crowd of more than 300 employees about the significance of their role in the lives of children of the Metro East area. "If you don't do it, who will?" Whitlock said of helping educate young people.

"If no one else ever tells you, I'm telling you that you are making a difference."

Also speaking at the Annual Training Day were Chancellor David Werner and Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Sharon Hahs. East St. Louis Director Patricia Harrison opened the program with remarks and introductions of program directors and new staff.

Each staff member attended one of 10 workshops in the morning and the afternoon, to study training opportunities, ranging from personal financial planning to storytelling. Center staff also had an opportunity to tour their future home at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus.

Co-chairs for this year's Training Day were Annie Clay, Janina Turley, and Kay Werner.

Arts & Issues Brings World Music Of Samite On Nov. 21

When you hear the music of Samite, "the soul of Africa is revealed to you," said no less of an authority than Joseph Shabalala of Ladysmith Black Mombazo. Area music-lovers will be able to test the truth of that statement when Samite appears in concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, as part of the Arts & Issues series.

Musician, composer, and recording artist on the Windham Hill label, Samite celebrates his Ugandan heritage through his music. His vocals are sung in Luganda and are performed on traditional African instruments such as kalimba (finger piano), marimba (wooden xylophone), litungu (seven-stringed Kenyan instrument), and flutes.

But Samite's music is not an anthropological tour of the sounds of Africa. With the addition of modern technology, Samite merges the traditional with the contemporary, resulting in a highly accessible, enjoyably listenable fusion.

Samite was born and raised in Uganda where his grandfather taught him to play the traditional flute. His primary schooling was within the King's Courtyard where the royal musicians played for the Ugandan king. That daily influence permanently instilled within the young boy the rhythms and patterns of the traditional music of his people-the Baganda. Recognizing his talents, a teacher at his high school in Kampala put a western flute in his hands and helped him to become one of the most highly acclaimed flutists in East Africa.

In 1982, while Uganda was under the rule of Idi Amin, Samite fled to Kenya as a political refugee. There he played with the Bacchus Club Jazz Band and the popular African Heritage Band. Increasingly drawn to instruments and rhythms from the traditional Ugandan music scene, he eventually played solo at the Mount Kenya Safari Club in Nairobi.

Emigrating to the United States in 1987, Samite now makes his home in Ithaca, New York, where he recorded his first American album, "Abaana Bakesa (Dance My Children, Dance)." His second release, "Pearl of Africa Reborn," contains new recordings that retain the essence of African traditions. Both albums relate images conjured while dreaming, and folk tales and stories passed on to him by his grandfather. His third U.S. album, "Silina Musango," is a joyful collection of melodic, trans-cultural songs, featuring kalimba melodies that are the heartbeat of Samite's music.

He later signed with Windham Hill, releasing several albums, including his most recent release on that label, "Stars to Share." He is also featured on three other Windham Hill releases: "Winter Solstice 'Simple Gifts,'" "Will Ackerman's 'Sound of Wind Driven Rain," and "Summer Solstice II." Samite's latest release is "Kambu Angels" on the Wind Over the Earth Label (The RCA Victor Group).

He spent the summer of 1998 traveling throughout parts of Africa filming a PBS documentary, "Song of the Refugee." It was inspired by a desire to present African refugees' hopes for the future in spite of the suffering and loss they have endured. Media coverage during the crisis concentrated on violence and destruction, with little or no coverage of the reconciliation and healing process under way. "Song of the Refugee" also captured Samite's first visit to Uganda since he fled in 1982.

For the past few years, Samite has made his living as Uganda's unofficial music ambassador to the United States. One of his goals is to open people's minds and hearts to the common threads of human concerns, conveying optimism through stories and song. "I am convinced that we are all moved by the same desires, needs and emotions, regardless of the language in which those feelings are expressed," he said.

Cougar Women's Basketball Seeks To Improve In 2002-2003

With the bulk of the team returning from last season, and the addition of several key recruits, the 2002-03 SIUE women's basketball team should be improved in all facets of its game.

Eleven players return from last year's team that went 14-13 and 12-8 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Coach Wendy Hedberg and her staff have added a wealth of young talent to accompany her experienced returnees.

Ruth Kipping (Quincy), a second-team All-GLVC selection last year, will lead the Cougars at one of the forward positions. She will look to build upon her team-high 18.7 scoring average from a year ago. She led the team and the GLVC in rebounding last season. "Ruth just has a good knack for the game," said Hedberg. "She knows how to find a way to score. She's got to be a big factor for us. I think she has some things to prove, and I think she'll have a great year for us."

Also returning for the Cougars at a guard position is Jessica Robert (Carlyle). Robert proved to be the workhorse last season, starting in all 27 games for the Cougars. She was second on the squad in scoring, averaging 11.6 points per game. "Jessica ended the season last year on a real good note, scoring 26 against Bellarmine in the conference tournament," said Hedberg. "She worked hard over the summer so she's in good shape, and she's shooting the ball well."

Jaque Howard (Galesburg) returns as a starter at the guard position. Howard averaged almost five points a game last year and collected 42 boards for the Cougars. "In the early workouts we have been doing, Jaque has been shooting the ball extremely well," said Hedberg. "She is a good ball-handler, has good vision, and can get the ball up the floor."

Liz DeShasier (Carrollton) and Megan Grizzle (Salem) will fill the void left by last season's graduates. Grizzle played in all but one contest last season. She averaged six points a game and posted 71 rebounds. "Megan worked real hard over the summer to get ready for the season," said Hedberg. "A big factor for her is her confidence in just knowing she can be a good player."

DeShasier, who has been prone to leg injuries, should return healthy for the Cougars. "Liz is a grinder; she gets out there and does whatever we need," said Hedberg. "She's a great rebounder and a very smart player who really knows the game. She's probably one of the hardest workers out there."

Kristen Boss (Carrollton) will take over the post position. Boss played in only 14 games last season but led the team in blocks with 12. "Kristen has a lot of potential," said Hedberg. "She is getting stronger and is taking the ball at people. If we can get her out of the gates quick, I really believe that she will make a big difference for us."

Accompanying these returnees will be a strong bench that includes three more returnees and five newcomers. Sarah Schweers (Chatham), who played in 23 games last season, will be an option at the guard position. "Sarah developed into a good three-point shooter for us last year and single-handedly beat UMSL with her three-point shooting," said Hedberg.

Annie Miller (West Salem, Wis.) and Sara Unterbrink (Madison, Mo.) each saw limited action a year ago. Hedberg mentioned both are gaining confidence and are progressing as players.

Freshman Amber Wisdom (Geneseo) should see significant time at the guard position. The 5-8 newcomer broke the all-time assist mark at J.D. Darnall High School. "I see Amber developing into a real nice player," said Hedberg. "She compliments Jaque Howard in that she penetrates and does a good job of getting inside and getting fouls."

Freshman Anna Wiszniewska (Warsaw, Poland) will be an option at the forward spot. "Anna probably has as good of a jump shot as anyone on the team," said Hedberg. "She'll just get better as she gets used to playing in the States because our type of basketball is a little different."

Freshman Jenna Unangst (Urbana), a 6-0 center, should see playing time at the post in her rookie season. "She has nice size and nice touch around the basket," said Hedberg. "She uses her body well and has good hands around the basket."

Options at the guard position include freshman Megan Brockmeier (Addieville) and sophomore newcomer Coryn Reich (Newton). Brockmeier comes from a strong Class A school in Okawville, something Hedberg feels will help her at this level. Reich is a tremendous athlete, but has been away from the court during preseason workouts as she is the No. 1 player in singles for the Cougar tennis team.

The Cougars' schedule consists of seven non-conference matchups and 20 conference battles. All but one non-conference game will be on the road.

One of the areas that Hedberg feels they must improve is to not take an opponent lightly. "We need to come ready to play every night like it's the national championship," Hedberg said. "We need to maintain that intensity from one night to the next. This conference is too competitive to give anything less than our best effort."

Cougars End Season With Overtime Loss

Bellarmine's Allison Truttman scored 3:48 into overtime to lift the Knights to a 2-1 victory Sunday (11/3) over SIUE in a Great Lakes Valley Conference first-round matchup at Korte Stadium.

"We were right there," said Coach Brian Korbesmeyer. "We came in strong and had some tremendous chances in the second-half."

Jamie Buerger put Bellarmine on the scoreboard with a goal in the 17th minute. SIUE's Christen Carducci (Powell, Ohio) tied the game at 1-1 with a goal in the 40th minute. Colleen Creamer (St. Louis) added the assist. But Truttman scored off a rebound to send Bellarmine to a semifinal game next weekend at Northern Kentucky.

SIUE closes their season with an overall record of 9-5-4. "You have to give credit to Bellarmine," Korbesmeyer said. "This was not a case of us not hustling, we've been hustling all year."

Volleyball Seeks Revenge Against UMSL

The SIUE volleyball team will seek revenge from UM-St. Louis when it plays host to the River women in a Wednesday night (11/6) Great Lakes Valley Conference matchup at the Vadalabene Center.

Missouri-St. Louis (12-12 overall, 3-8 GLVC) stole a match from the Cougars in early-October, winning 3-1. The Cougars then travel to Southern Indiana for a Friday (11/8) match, then to Kentucky Wesleyan on Saturday (11/9).

Friday's match against Southern Indiana could have a bearing on GLVC Tournament seedlings as the Screaming Eagles currently sit at 9-2 in conference play.

SIUE (18-9, 8-3) is arguably coming off their best weekend of the season. It defeated Wisconsin-Parkside 3-0 Friday night (11/1) and then knocked off Lewis in a five-game thriller Saturday (11/2).

Jennifer Trame (Highland) recorded 37 kills in the two matches. Kindra Westendorf (Effingham) had a career-high 20 kills Saturday. Andrea Voss (St. Rose) recorded 30 kills in the two matches. Erica Schuette (St. Charles, Mo.) had 114 assists on the weekend, including a career-high 74 Saturday.

Cougar Men's Soccer Faces Bellarmine in GLVC Tourney

The SIUE men's soccer team will meet Bellarmine in a Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament first-round game Wednesday (11/6) at St. Louis Soccer Park. Game time is set for 2 p.m. The match had been originally scheduled at Korte Stadium but was moved because of continued rain.

"We cannot get presumptuous based on the score earlier in the season," said Coach Ed Huneke. "It's a new season, and they will be ready to play."

The Cougars come into the game riding a three-game unbeaten streak. "The key is to go at Bellarmine early," Huneke said. "We need to keep them out of the game and don't put pressure on ourselves."

The winner of the Bellarmine-SIUE game next meets either second-seeded UM-St. Louis or seventh-seeded Wisconsin-Parkside in the semifinals on Saturday (11/9) at 1:30 p.m. Lewis, the No. 1 seed and host for the semifinals and finals on Sunday (11/10), takes on the winner of the Southern Indiana-Quincy quarterfinal game.

Cougars Ready For Regionals

The SIUE women's cross country team will vie for a top-five finish in Saturday's (11/9) NCAA Regional meet, hoping to move on to the NCAA Division II Championships in two weeks.

The top-five team finishers move on to the NCAA Championships. The top-two individual finishers not on a qualifying team will also participate in the Championship. "As a team, I think we are in contention," said Coach Darryl Frerker.

"I think us and about four teams are in contention for the fifth spot."

The regional meet will be held at Grand Valley State University. SIUE is coming off a fourth-place finish at the Great Lakes Valley Conference meet two weeks ago. Amanda Bozue (Joliet) was SIUE's top runner with a 12-th place finish.

Cougars Prepare For Regionals

The SIUE men's cross country team will participate in the NCAA Regional meet Saturday (11/9). The meet will be held on the campus of Grand Valley State University. The top two team finishers move on to the NCAA Championship.

The top two individual finishers not on a qualifying team will also participate in the NCAA Championship.

Grand Valley State University, a perennial national contender, should finish near the top, according to SIUE Coach Darryl Frerker. "There are a number of team's in our region that are running real strong right now," said Frerker. "I'll be happy if we can beat the other GLVC teams that will be there."

The Cougars are coming off a second-place finish in the GLVC Championships two weeks ago. Ryan Boyll (Normal), Brian Taghon (East Moline) and Jason Olszowka (Lockport) all finished in the top 10, earning All-Conference honors.

The third of the nine-recital series is titled "1830-1833: Disappointment in Vienna-Arrival in Paris." The Chopin series-which continues Wednesday-Thursday, Jan. 22-23; Wednesday-Thursday, March 19-20; and Tuesday-Wednesday, April 1-2-is being performed chronologically, following stages in the Polish composer's life and career.

Musicologist Allan Ho, a professor of Music, said complete works are rarely performed anywhere. "It's an honor for us to have Ian Hobson perform the cycle here," Ho said. The title of the nine-recital series is Frédéric Chopin: Evolution of a Genius.

"Chopin remains one of the most popular composers of all time," Ho said. "Many of his works are famous, yet others seldom heard. The series will include more than 200 compositions, tracing Chopin's development as a composer.

"It will include all of his familiar works, as well as many new discoveries for our listeners," Ho said. "It will be a fascinating musical journey."

Called one of the greatest pianists of our time, Hobson's programs consistently demonstrate a repertoire that spans centuries and demands a command of styles and scholarly vision. His recordings and recitals encompass a cross section of works from miniature to mammoth.

A professor of Music at the University of Illinois, Hobson maintains an active performance, conducting, and recording schedule. In recent seasons, Hobson has performed at Wigmore Hall, London, Alice Tully Hall, the "Mostly Mozart Festival" in New York, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Hobson also has performed the Chopin and Moscheles concertos at the Bard Music Festival, and has presented recitals in the United States, England, and Europe, featuring diverse works such as Beethoven's complete sonatas, excerpts from Gershwin's Song Book, Schumann's major piano works, Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit, and Prokofiev's Sonata No. 7, to name a few.

He also has been on the juries of international piano competitions, such as the Van Cliburn, and is known worldwide as a pianist, conductor, and teacher. Hobson has recorded more than 35 compact discs of works, including piano concertos by Mendelssohn, Mozart, Poulenc, and Saint-Saëns, as well as Liszt transcriptions and the complete Beethoven sonatas, Brahms variations, Chopin etudes, Hummel sonatas, and Rachmaninoff preludes, etudes-tableaux, and transcriptions.

Tickets are $7; students and senior citizens, $6. For ticket information, call the SIUE Department of Music, (618) 650-3900.